Review of the News: January 30 – February 3

Monday January 30, 2017

Disney Springs' DisneyQuest announces closing date
The attraction, which is making way for The NBA Experience, will close in July, said the Disney Parks Blog.

Tickets For Ferrari Land Spain To Go On Sale This Week
Tickets for Ferrari’s new Ferrari Land theme park in Spain will go on sale on Tuesday, January 31st, 2017.

Disney patent would alter rides immediately based on passenger emotions
The technology may add more speed changes, spins and sharp corners for riders who seem bored or have provided prior information that they enjoy thrill rides.


Tuesday January 31, 2017

Conneaut Lake Park's real estate debt cut in half since bankruptcy filing
With the recent completion of the sale of a third lakefront lot, Conneaut Lake Park's real estate tax debt now is about half what it was when the amusement park filed for bankruptcy protection more than two years ago.

Great Escape awarded $150,000 in funding for joint marketing campaign with county
Great Escape leadership successfully lobbied for $150,000 in county tourism funding to target central New York with commercials in the spring and summer that will highlight the company's offerings as well as the Lake George region.

Six Flags New England is hiring over 3,000 seasonal employees
The Agawam amusement park is holding a two-day job fair on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 10-11, at the Human Resources Building across Main Street from the park.

Kennywood, Sandcastle, Idlewild & SoakZone begin summer hiring push
The Pittsburgh region’s premier family fun attractions, Kennywood, Sandcastle Waterpark, and Idlewild & SoakZone are now accepting job applications for the summer operating season.

Disney fans petition for silent Trump in Hall of Presidents
The petition calls for a change of procedure because it has been customary for the incumbent president and President Lincoln to give speeches.

Universal Mardi Gras: Passholders can sign up for bead duty
Universal Orlando’s annual passholders have been invited to sign up to throw beads from parade floats during the upcoming Mardi Gras celebration at Universal Studios theme park.

Knott’s Berry Farm Partnering with VRstudios to Develop a One-of-a-Kind Virtual Reality Experience
Knott’s Berry Farm visitors will be able to enjoy the new VR experience for a small fee in addition to admission, beginning the second quarter of this year.


Wednesday February 1, 2017

SeaWorld Faces Consumer Suit Over False Advertising Claims
A California federal judge will allow a group of consumers to pursue false advertisement claims against SeaWorld Entertainment (SEAS) for allegedly lying about the condition of its orca whales.

Court dismisses suit against Legoland, town
Court says the case is premature because the town hasn't yet made decisions on theme park or zoning change.

For Gulf Coast thrill seekers, Alabama theme park to open in May
The Owa theme park, about 45 minutes southeast of Mobile, is set to open May 17. It will feature 20 rides as part of a $500-million complex built by a local Native American tribe.

Universal drops parking fee after 6 p.m.
Universal Orlando is dropping the fee for its parking garages for all visitors who arrive after 6 p.m., the resort announced Wednesday.


Thursday February 2, 2017

SeaWorld spreads out with Seven Seas fest
In some ways the Seven Seas Food Festival will be a hybrid of two of the theme park’s discontinued festivals — Bands, Brew & BBQ and Viva La Musica. In other ways, it will be visibly different.

Cedar Point changes its long-used logo
Although you may not have noticed, Cedar Point has already been using the fresh logo on their Web site, Facebook and Twitter page.

Wild Adventures seeks employees
In preparation for its upcoming season, Wild Adventures Theme Park will host a series of job fairs to fill more than 300 park positions.

Disney’s ‘World of Color’ adds a Lunar New Year story, but only until Sunday
It was originally conceived as part of the opening ceremonies last June for Shanghai Disneyland.


Friday February 3, 2017

Young girl dies after being flung off amusement park ride in Chongqing
The incident occurred yesterday afternoon at Chaohua Park in Chongqing. In the video, the girl slips from her seat the first time the ride goes upside down and is left dangling by one leg.

Legoland Japan holds ceremony for completion ahead of April opening
A ceremony was held Thursday to celebrate the completion of the first outdoor Legoland amusement park in Japan ahead of its opening on April 1.

New VIP tour at Magic Kingdom goes for classics
The new four-hour Ultimate Disney Classics VIP Tour is based on attractions within the Magic Kingdom theme park.

Epcot arts fest visitors bring life to paintings
In three locations around the theme park’s World Showcase are big-as-life sets where people can stroll right into scenes created by famed artists – and take pictures, of course.

Irish dad claims girl 'broke her neck' on Tayto Park ride
He said the family initially thought she had whiplash, but after being in pain for four weeks she had an x-ray which he claims showed her neck was broken.

Review of the News: September 12 – September 16

Monday September 12, 2016

Carowinds' Fury 325 named one of world's best roller coasters
Fury 325 won the “No. 1 Steel Coaster in the World” award Saturday at the Golden Ticket Awards ceremony in Sandusky, Ohio.

Holiday World continues Golden Ticket tradition
Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari’s Wildebeest water coaster took top honors once again during the 2016 Golden Ticket Awards ceremony.

3 Pennsylvania amusement parks named best of the best in international awards
Pennsylvania amusement parks are home to the best food, carousel, children's park and funhouse in the world. At least, that's what the polls say.

Europa Park named world's best amusement park
Germany's biggest amusement park, the Europa Park in the town of Rust near Freiburg, has beaten the global competition to win the award for best amusement park in the world for the third straight year.


Tuesday September 13, 2016

Dollywood takes several top amusement park top honors at the Golden Ticket Awards
The theme park picked up four "best of" awards and placed in the top-five in five other categories.

Man threatens to bomb Cedar Point
An unidentified suspect made bomb threats against Cedar Point on Sunday, but local officials quickly determined the threat was not credible.


Wednesday September 14, 2016

California Law Bans SeaWorld Orca Shows
California Gov. Jerry Brown is approving legislation requiring SeaWorld to follow through on its plan to end killer whale breeding and entertainment shows.

Sum of All Thrills, StormStruck closed
The Sum of All Thrills and StormStruck, two exhibits within the Innoventions area of Epcot, closed for good on Tuesday, a Walt Disney World spokeswoman confirmed.


Thursday September 15, 2016

Boulder Dash at Lake Compounce ranked top wooden roller coaster
The Boulder Dash coaster at Lake Compounce in Bristol outscored the competition. The Wooden Warrior coaster at Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury also cracked the top 50, coming in at 46.

Italian fest to return to Delgrosso's
This Sunday is the annual Italian Food and Heritage Festival at Delgrosso's Amusement Park.

Coney Island to host world's largest waterless pool party
It’s the world’s largest waterless pool party, and it happens Saturday, Sept. 24 at historic Cincinnati Coney Island Amusement Park on the banks of the Ohio River.

Legoland adding to Star Wars land, water park
Capitalizing on the popularity of all things “Star Wars,” Legoland will add still more iconic characters and scenes to its themed miniland next year, drawing inspiration from last year’s “The Force Awakens.”


Friday September 16, 2016

Last rites Friday for Cedar Point’s ‘Mean Streak’
The ride officials at the Sandusky, Ohio, amusement park call “the tallest and fastest wooden roller coaster in the world” has its last trips and scares on Friday.

Halloween Horror Nights 2016 survival guide
Universal Studios begins its 26th round of Halloween Horror Nights this weekend. The format remains the same, but there will be fresh offerings among the theme park's haunted-house mazes, scare zones and stage shows.

Review of the News: August 8 – August 12

Monday August 8, 2016

Disney Building Wall Around Lake After Alligator Killed Toddler
Disney is building a wall around the lake when a toddler died in early July after being dragged into the water by an alligator. The wall, Disney says, is part of a new security plan designed to prevent such accidents.

Utah sisters collect thousands of signatures on petition to relocate animals kept at Lagoon
The Barkdull girls want to see these wild animals roam freely, in an environment similar to the natural habitat they came from.

Plans for second hotel at Gulliver's World set to go ahead
Developers were seeking a lawful development certificate for the blueprints which were first submitted more than 10 years ago.


Tuesday August 9, 2016

Dopey Takes A Tumble During Fantasmic! Show at Walt Disney World
Dopey slipped between the railing of the ship and right onto a stunned Goofy, who glances down after the beloved Disney character's spill onto the ship's deck.


Wednesday August 10, 2016

Former Six Flags theme park valued at $3 million
The New Orleans Industrial Development Board has released the findings of the appraisal group selected to value the shuttered Six Flags park.

More houses for Halloween Horror Nights
Universal Orlando has announced the more of its creative program for Halloween Horror Nights 2016, including three haunted houses, its five scare zones and two stage shows.

Disney turns in strong earnings despite theme park attendance declines
The Walt Disney Co.'s domestic theme-park attendance declined during its third quarter, underlining Orlando's quieter summer so far.


Thursday August 11, 2016

Enchanted Forest amusement park turns 45
The theme park has grown to have more than a dozen rides and attractions, including Storybook Lane, with several life-size scenes from classic nursery rhymes.

Legoland Florida announces Lego Star Wars Days
A Lego Star Wars Miniland Model Display will be in the park, featuring seven scenes from the movie series and a scene from the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. The display is made out of 1.5 million Lego bricks.

Walt Disney World pulling plug on famed Electrical Parade
Disney Parks will pull the plug on the event this October, with the final Main Street Electric Parade coming Oct. 9.

Main Street Electrical Parade Set to Return to Disneyland for ‘Limited Engagement’
The nighttime parade, with its brightly lit three-dimensional floats and iconic theme song, originated in the early 1970s, becoming a beloved favorite among Disney guests before going dark at the Anaheim theme park in 1996.

Disneyland Paris evacuated after suspicious package found at train station
Marne-la-Vallee station, which is located inside the theme park, is about 18 miles east of Paris. It lies just in front of the entrances to the two theme parks and Disney Village.

Disneyland Resort to build new 7-story parking structure, elevated walkway ahead of 'Star Wars' land
Disney intends to construct a transportation hub, a massive parking structure and a pedestrian bridge over Harbor Boulevard connecting them with Disneyland and Disney California Adventure ahead of the opening of “Star Wars” land in its signature theme park.


Friday August 12, 2016

Three-year-old boy falls from roller coaster at Idlewild
Local police and state inspectors spent much of Thursday investigating how a 3-year-old boy fell from a roller coaster at Idlewild and SoakZone amusement park in Ligonier in one of several such incidents across the nation this week that have led to increased scrutiny of thrill rides.

Cliff’s Amusement Park wants to locate owner of missing memento
The dog tag with fallen Santa Fe County Deputy Jeremy Martin’s picture was found at the park last month.

Two girls, aged 6, sexually assaulted at Legoland theme park
The girls were attacked as they played in the Castaway Camp in the Pirate Shores area of the Windsor tourist attraction.

Universal plans virtual reality experience for Halloween Horror Nights 2016
Universal Orlando Resort's offering Halloween Horror Nights fans a new interactive experience this year, combining real-life characters and virtual reality.

Disney's first Latin American princess, Elena of Avalor, makes her park debut
Elena of Avalor, the entertainment giant’s first princess “inspired by diverse Latin cultures," will be available for meet-and-greets throughout the park and appear in a live performance “The Royal Welcome of Princess Elena.”

Disney to offer $79 Park Hopper tickets for annual passholders
Starting Friday, annual passholders can purchase one-day Park Hopper tickets for just $79.  The tickets allow guests to visit Disney's Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot and Animal Kingdom.

Shark exhibit gives SeaWorld visitors hands-on experience
The theme park's Shark Touch Pool is adjacent to the Wild Arctic ride, and it's downright simple. Step right up, put your hand down into one of the tanks and touch a epaulette shark, a white-spotted bamboo shark or a brownbanded bamboo shark.